Steam vacuum-pump



(No Model.) 2 Sheds-Sheet 1. E I. NICHOLS. STEAM VACUUM PUMP.

Patented Dec. 17, 1895.

.NNDREW BGR (Ho Mdel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. E. I. NICHOLS. STEAM VACUUMPUMP.

No. 551,'400. 'Patented 11e-5. 17, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMORY I. NICHOLS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

STEAM VACU U M PU NI P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 551,400, dated December17, 1895. Application filed November 23,1894. v Serial No. 529,777. (Nomodel.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, Enom' I. NICHOLS, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city and county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inlVacuum- Pumps; and I do hereby declare that the iollowing is a full,clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to steam vacuumpumps; and it has for its object toprovide a pumping plant of this class complete in one machine, which isparticularly adapted for automatically lifting water or other iiuidsfrom a source of supply for whatever use the pump may be employed, andbeing especially adapted for irrigating or farm use; but is applica-bleto be used for whate\felr purposev desired.

Further objects of my invention are, principally, to furnish a better,cheaper, safer, and y more convenient means of raising waterautomatically without using an ordinary steamboiler as is generally usedin pumps of this class.

With these and other objects in View, which will readily appear, theinvention consists in the novel construction and Inode of operating samehereinafter more fully described and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which similar figures and letters ot reference indicatecorresponding parts throughout the several views. 1

Figure l is a partial centra-l vertical section and partial sideelevation showing the general construction of pump. Fig. 2 is a Viewlooking down on top of pump. Fig. 3 is a top View of tilting-boxchamber, with cover removed, showing the tilting box in position. Fig. lis a section of chamber K, with tilting box lli, showing a modified formof constructing the air-valve. Figs. 5 and G are modified forms insection of bottom of receiving, discharging, and generating chamber.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A designates the main waterreceiving, discharging, and steam-generating chamber of pump, and ispreferably cylindrical in shape, of any suitable material, and of anydesired size, the same being adapted to be supported upon the frame B.The exact construction of this frame is not essential.

It can be made otl any desired shape or form, being of sufcient strengthand solidity to sustain the weight of pump and contents.

Connected to the lower end of cylinder A, at one side, as shown, or maybe in the ccnter ot' head, is the discharge or outlet spout C, the upperend of which projects at 2 a little above the bottom of cylinder A.Secured to or formed with the outer end of outlet-spout C is thevalve-chamberI). IVithin this chamber is the outwardly-swin ging valveSuitablyseated and hinged to and within the valve-chamber D, scoured toor formed with the valve 3, is the projecting arm 4, upon which reststhe air-valve stein E. I do not confine myself to this manner ofconnecting stein E, or any particular form of checkvalve used on theoutlet-spout C.

The upper end of stem Il is connected to the outer end of lever F. Theother end of lever F is hinged to thc stationary post 5.

Connected to lever F at (i is the air-Valve G,

seated in the air-port in the upper end of cylinder A. Though I haveshown and d escribed this way of operating the air-Valve, also amodified form of air-valve, I do not coniine myself to this way ofconstructing the air-Valves or this way of operating the same.

II and I represent the inlet water-pipes to cylinder A. The lower end ofpipe II is secured in the upper end of cylinder A, and the upper end ofpipe Il', as shown, is connected to 011e end ot reservoir-chamber J,near the upper side, or it may be connected to the top. At the other endof chamber J is connected the upper end of inlet-pipe I. The lower endot this pipe is adapted to be beneath the water used as a source ofsupply. At the lower end of this pipe is a foot-valve. (Not shown in thedrawings.)

K represents the tilting-box chamber connected at the bottoni to theupper end of cylinder A by the pipe 7 and connected with the reservoir Jbythe valve L. IVithin the chamber K is the tilting box M. As shown, itis pivoted to the sides of chamber K. The box M, as shown by full lines,is in a position to receive the water through the regulatingvalve L. Thebox, as shown by the dotted lines, would be in a position. ofdischarging its contents in the bottom of chamber II, which in turnwould pass through the pipe 7 onto IOO and through the small openings inthe circular cone spraying device N, which is secured to the pipe 7 ormay be secured to the end of cylinder A.

I am aware that the chamber K and box M may be made in many differentforms and lo.

cated and connected differently with the reservoir and the chamber A,and I do not confine myself to this particular form as shown in thedrawings.

The reservoir J, as shown, is constructed in the form of a box with acover S, forming a receptacle for water below the line of connections ofpipes II and I. This reservoir may be constructed in many differentways, or may be formed by making a depression in the pipes Il and I overthe chamber K for supplying the tilting box M with water or otherfluids.

The valve L is shown with a handle 9 pointing to the register 10. Thisvalve L is to regulate the flow of water to the box M, which governs thespeed of working of pump. p This valve L may be constructed in manydiffer ent forms, or an opening or port between the chambers A and Kwill serve the same purpose.

The spraying device N is shown in the form of a concave cone, but may beconstructed by extending the pipe 7 into chamber A, or a number ofsmaller pipes with small openings connected to pipe 7.

As a convenient form of heating the chamber A for generating the steam,I have shown a vapor-burner P under the lower end of chamber A, and bydotted lines I have shown an oil-reservoir R and a pipe S leadingtherefrom to the burner P; but I do not confine myself to this way ofheating the chamber A. It may be heated by any kind of fuel, or afirebox may be constructed under the end of cyl'- inder A and coal orwood used for heating; but I prefer a vapor burner or burners, as Iobtain a more regular heat.

I have shown an outside casing O surrounding the cylinder A andprojecting below said cylinder to protect the fire and keep the risingheat close to sides of cylinder A.

I have shown in the top of chamber K in Fig. 4 a modified form ofconstructing the airvalve V, the stem of which is suitably seated in thetop of chamber K, the lower end extending down into said chamber and isoperated by the tilting box M coming in contact with lower end ofvalve-stem as the box tilts back after discharging its contents. Y

In Fig. 5 I have shown a cross-section of end of. cylinder Awith anextra end 12, provided with a seri-es of'small openings therein. Thisend 12 is located a little above the end 11 of cylinder A, forming asmall wate1space between the ends 11 and 12.

In Fig. (i I have shown a crosssecti'on of lower end of cylinder A in amodified form, provided with an extra heating-chamber T, connected tothe end 11 by the pipe 13. n The objects of these modiiied forms inFigs. 5 and G are to protect the heating-surfaces from the cold watercoming into the cylinder A, and at the same time to permit ot' the freeflow of water to the heating-surfaces, and the free escape of steamarising therefrom to enter the cylinder A. l

The operation of the pump is automatic after the same has once beenstarted by the operator, and is as follows: First lill the reservoir J,through the port 15, with a sufficient quantity of water, or until thesame will flow down through inlet-pipe H into cylinder A, so that asmall amount of water will cover the bottom of cylinder A, or in otherwords turn in water through the port 15 until it iows out of outlet-pipeC. The operator then closes port 15 and lights the burner P and opensthe regulating-valve L to the desired point, or to admit of the properamount of water to flow through said valve, so as to fill the tiltingbox IWI in a given time. Steam is soon generated from the small amountof water on the 4bottom of cylinder A, steam filling the cylindercompletely, and at the proper time the box M, being filled with water,gets its greatest weight at the point 16, tilts down and empties itscontents in the bottom of the chamber K. The boX M then tilts back toitsllin g position ready to receive an other charge of water. The wateremptied in the bottom of chamber K iiows through the pipe 7', on andthrough the condensing device N, and almost instantly'condenses thesteam in cylinder A, thus filling the cylinder with water through theinlet-*pipes II and I. As soon as the vacuum ceases in cylinder A theweight of the water opens the valve 3 and flows out of the cylinder A.The swinging of the valve 3 raises the stem E, which opens the air-valveG and admits air to pass into the cylinder to take the place of thewater as fast as same flows ont through the outlet-pipe C to the placeof delivery. Tlie water now being discharged, the valve 3 closes on itsseat, which carries the stem E with it and closes the air-valve G. Thecylinder A is again filled with steam from the water left on the bottom11, and the alternate automatic operations of the pump are repeated inthe manner just described.

By the improved devices herein shown and described the cost ofconstructing a steam vacuum pumping plant is very materially re duced,and is more durable, and is less liable to get out of order, and theoperation of my improved pump is thought to be apparent without furtherdescription.

I claim'- 1. In a steam vacuum pump the combination, with a chamberhaving valved receiving and discharge openings, a spray condenser, andan automatic tilting-box adapted to receive the fluid from the source ofsupply and discharge the same in the vacuum chamber, of a heating deviceto heat said chamber for generating the steam therein, substantially asset forth.

2. In a steam vacuum pump, the combina IOO IXO

tion with a steam or vacuum chamber With receiving and dischargeopenings and a spray condenser, of an automatic tilting box forsupplying the spraying device and regulated by a valve or port beingconnected to a iiuid supply for filling said box, substantially as andfor the purpose described.

3. In a steam vacuum pump, the combination with a steam or vacuumchamber having receiving and discharge openin gs, a chamber, of atilting box therein, said box adapted to receive fluid from a reservoirby a valve or port, and the Whole connected to the vacuum chamber forsupplying the condensing device, substantially as described.

In a steam vacuum pump the combination with the steam or vacuum chamberhaving receiving and discharge` openings anda condensing device, of achamber containing an automatic pivoted box constructed and adj ustedwhen containing a certain amount of fluid to tilt down automatically anddischarge its contents, and then tilt back again to its iillingposition, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a steam vacuum pump, the combination with the steam or vacuumchamber, With inlet and outlet pipes or openings, of a reservoirconstructed with or connected to said inlet pipe, and an automatictilting box supplied through a regulating valve or port from saidreservoir, for operating the condensing device, substantially as setforth.

6. A steam vacuum pump consisting of a supporting frame, a steamgenerating or vacuum chamber, avapor burner or burners With an oilsupply pipe, a fluid inlet and a iluid outlet, a spray condenser, an airvalve, and an automatic tilting box supplied with fluid from a reservoirthrough a regulating valve or port for operating the spray condenser,substantially as described.

7. A steam vacuum pump consisting ot a vacuum cylinder having receivingand discharge openings, an air valve, a spray condenser, an automatictilting box adapted to receive the luid for supplying the sprayingdevice, a regulating valve or port, a vapor burner or burners forgenerating the steam in the vacuum cylinder, and a casing surroundingthe vacuum cylinder for protecting the burner and said cylindersubstantially as described.

8. In a steam vacuum pump the combination, with a vacuum chamber havingreceiving and discharge openings, a spray condensing device, anautomatic tilting box, adapted to receive lluid for supplying thespraying device, and a vapor burner or burners, of an eXtra bottom or aneXtra Water space formed With or connected with the vacuum chamber, soas to admit of a free flow of water thereto, and the free escape ofsteam therefrom, substantially as shown and described.

9. In a steam vacuum pump the combination of a steam or vacuum chamberhaving receiving and discharge openings, aspray condenser, an automatictilting box adapted to receive the iiuid for operating the spraycondenser and a heating de vice substantially as shown and described.

l0. In a steam vacuum pump the combination with a steam or vacuumchamber having valved receiving and discharge openings, a spraycondenser, an automatic tilting box adapted to receive the luid forsupplying the spray condenser, a vapor burner or burners, of an airvalve operated by the movement of the said discharge valve,substantially as shown and described.

1l. A steam vacuum pump consisting of a steam or vacuum chamber havingreceiving and discharge openings, a spray condensing device, anautomatic tilting box adapted to receive the fluid for operating thespraying device, a reservoir for supplying iinid to the tilting box, anda vapor burner or burners for generating the steam, substantially shownand described.

l2. In a steam vacuum pump, the combination, With a steam or vacuumchamber having receiving and discharge openings, a spray condenser, anautomatic tilting box adapted to receive the iiuid for supplying 'thespraying device, and a vapor burner or burners, of an air valve operatedby the movement of the saidtilting box, substantially as shown anddescribed.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses,this 12th day of November, A. D. 189i.

EMORY l. NICHOLS. IVitnesses:

E. F. WAGER, O. L. MCMURRY,

IOC)

